Following their AGM WRLA have announced that the longest running women’s rugby league competition in the world will continue with its 2016/17 season.
This is a result of a commitment to the league by thirteen teams including a new side from Cumbria Barrow Ladies, returnees to the league Stanningley and Batley Ladies and Wigan St Judes Ladies who were forced to fold part way through last season.
The competing sides are:
West Leeds, Batley Bulldogs, Stanningley, Huddersfield St Josephs, Thornhill Trojans, Wigan St Judes, Lindley, East Leeds, Odsal Sedbergh, Liverpool University, Barrow, Hunslet and Hull Wyke,
The new season will commence on the 23rd October and hopefully finish with its climax to the season on 16th April [dependent on the weather which this year saw games played after the Easter Sunday Cup and Plate Finals].
WRLA committee for 2016/2017 comprises:
Chair: Steve Manning, Secretary: Steve Manning, Treasurer: Karen Lewis, Fixture Secretary: Kelly Darragh, Registration Secretary: Janice Boardman, Discipline Officers: Neil Pascall, Jake Brook, *Referee Appointments Officers: Neil Pascall, Jake Brook, Media Manager: Amanda Wigglesworth, Executive Officers: John Harrison, Joanne Harrison, Dean Gledhill and Laura Wilson.
*new position
After two years in the process the new WRLA Rules and Constitution was recommended to the clubs who voted unanimously for it.
Chair Steve Manning said: “I would like to thank the thirteen clubs including newcomers, returnee’s and current clubs for committing to our winter league, with the clubs committing to the season. A fixture structure is being formatted and WRLA ask all the clubs to buy into it.
“We are once again doing the right thing and our season will begin the week after all of the Women’s summer competitions are completed. We hope that our season completion will be on the 16th April but that is dependent on the weather.
“We have made a new appointment of Referee Appointments Officer. Two individuals put themselves forward and it was agreed both would take on the role as well as that of Discipline Officers. This will make it one less job for the clubs to do, which is one of many as the season kicks in.
“There will always be a Winter League as long as clubs want it and now it’s a case of clubs registering the players for the season and we will liaise with the RFL for a smooth operation in the de-registering and registration of them some of whom will transfer from summer clubs to winter clubs.
“We have also passed our new WRLA Rules & Constitution following a two year process by the previous committees and ironed out a number of anomalies to take us forward as an open and transparent organisation.”
Any teams still wishing to join the league have up until the 25th of September to let the committee know.
Report courtesy of WRLA
